New faces at helm of schools

County Judge Van Russell swore in Nina Marks as the new superintendent of schools Nov. 18, as well as two new school board members, George Thompson, for District 1, and Carl Whaley, for District 5.

Thompson replaces Denise Butler in a seat he held before stepping down four years ago, after serving from 2000 to 2004.

For Whaley it's a first-time opportunity, as he followed John Richards, who decided not to seek re-election after one term.

And for Nina Marks it's a chance to hit the ground running in a new post, after defeating Republican Denise Butler and former State Representiave Will Kendrick, who ran without party affiliation, in the three-way race.

"I was kind of surprised how it came out as far as the distribution of votes but of course I was pleased by the results," she said. The new job pays $90,928 per year.

"I've already put in several days basically on special assignment so I can get my feet wet," Marks said a few days after winning the Nov. 4 general election.

Following her victory, Marks met with superintendents from the nine-county area, and later attended three-day training in Orlando for the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.

It was there she learned she was not alone, as there are 30 new superintendents in Florida's 67 counties.

"We have a huge list of things to do in Franklin County but most everyone wants to see better communication and consistency," she said. "I'm already working with people on trying to correct some of that."

Marks said she's going to take her time to find a perfect fit for the new principal job, targeting someone who plans to stay here long-term.

"I think right now we need to keep the least amount of turning everything upside down and the things that are calm right now we can work around them and make an easier transition into things we need to address first," she said. "I want to take the time to see if we can find someone who will be part of one of the communities in the district. I don't want to jump into anything real fast. I think we need someone who's going to come in and be part of us, the community, even when they're not in school."

Interim principal Nick O'Grady remains on the job, as does high school dean Chris Crozier, middle school dean Eddie Joseph, and elementary school dean Deborah Huckeba.

Marks said she is looking forward to the job ahead of her.

"I'm up for it," she said. "I didn't jump into it blind. I'm ready to work on some things and ready to ask other people to be involved."

Marks, who won't have the benefit of an assistant superintendent, said a leadership team has been assembled to direct operations.

In addition to rehiring attorney Barbara Sanders at last year's rate of $125 per hour, the board also unanimously re-elected Jimmy Gander as chairman and Teresa Martin as vice-chairman.

The board agreed to put Whaley on the small county consortium and placed Hinton as the legislative liaison.

School board members are paid $24,067 annually, as per state law.